Daily tips for June 9

NRL (R13) for June 9

Melbourne Storm v Cronulla Sharks, AAMI Park, Melbourne, Sunday, June 9, 7.30pm

What a shame NSW captain Paul Gallen isn’t available for Round 2 against Melbourne’s Queensland connection in this Sunday night thriller at AAMI Park. After Gallen’s Blues went one-up in this year’s State of Origin series on Wednesday night, it would have been riveting to see not only how Cameron Smith, Cooper Cronk and Billy Slater responded but also whether or not Gallen himself could lift to make it two from two against his old rivals.

As it stands, the inspirational Sharks leader has been suspended for a week for his one-two punch on Maroons enforcer Nate Myles although the Origin sideshow still has some legs with Luke Lewis and Andrew Fifita no doubt keen to cap a tremendous week. The real questions though will centre on Smith, Slater and Cronk. Although Smith and Slater in particular were two of Queensland’s better players, the past month or so as a whole hasn’t been their greatest with Melbourne still trying to claw their way out of a minor slump.

A last-start win over the Roosters was promising but before that they had suffered consecutive losses to Canberra and Penrith and played out a 10-all draw with Manly. The Raiders and Sea Eagles games were even on home soil. This game will be about building on the giant strides the Sharks have made of late. They've found a way to deal with the distractions having lifted themselves off the canvas with four wins in a row including a stunning upset of competition leaders South Sydney last start. – Preview with thanks to Ben Blaschke, NRL.com

Suggested bet: Sharks +9.5 (two units) LOSE (38-6)

Other tips

NZ Warriors v Manly Sea Eagles -2 LOSE (18-16)

Panthers -10.5 v Wests Tigers LOSE (18-20)

AFL (R11) for June 9

St Kilda v West Coast, Etihad Stadium, Sunday, June 9, 4.40pm

It’s hard to make a case that West Coast is top eight quality at this point of the season but they’ll be out to make a statement of intent against a St Kilda side that’s almost conceded the remainder of 2013 to “rebuilding”. Richmond humbled the Eagles last Monday, negating their height advantage with fierce pressure across the back of the centre square.

However, it’s hard to see the Saints being able to implement a similar style here, and the visitors’ star quality should shine through. West Coast will be without skipper Darren Glass but Nick Riewoldt won’t be able to win this one off his own boot. If the Eagles can convert their centre square dominance into goal scoring opportunities, this could a blowout.

Suggested bet: West Coast -18.5 (two units) LOSE, game total -189.5 WIN (80-84)

MLB for June 9

Philadelphia Phillies (31-31, 15-16 away) @ Milwaukee Brewers (23-37, 14-20 home), Miller Park Milwaukee, WI, Sunday, June 9, 9.15am

The Milwaukee Brewers may be sitting at the bottom of the NL Central but we fancy they’ve turned the corner and will build on a stirring comeback victory over the Philadelphia Phillies as the teams meet at Miller Park. Milwaukee (23-37) has dropped 26 of 35 to fall into last place. After losing 5-1 to Philadelphia (31-31) in the opener of this four-game set Thursday, the Brewers appeared headed for a similar fate yesterday only to win 5-4.

The Phillies, who had a season-high five-game winning streak snapped, will send Kyle Kendrick (6-3, 3.12 ERA) to the mound. The right-hander has won his last two starts, yielding four runs in 15 innings. Kendrick, 1-2 with a 3.52 ERA in four career starts versus Milwaukee, yielded three hits in eight innings of an 8-0 road victory on August 19 in the most recent one.

Milwaukee’s Tom Gorzelanny (1-0, 2.01) is scheduled to start in place of Marco Estrada, who is on the disabled list with a hamstring injury. Gorzelanny is a former starter, but he's made one start in 69 games over the last two seasons with Washington and Milwaukee. All 24 of the left-hander's appearances in 2013 have been in relief, and he hasn't thrown more than 30 pitches in any of them.

Suggested bet: Brewers WIN (two units @ $2.16) WIN, game total -8.5 (two units @ $1.83) WIN (3-4)

Pirates WIN @ Cubs WIN (6-2)
Rangers @ Blue Jays WIN WIN (3-4)
Indians @ Tigers +9.5 WIN (4-6)
Angels @ Red Sox (1) +10.5 WIN (9-5)
Angels @ Red Sox (2) WIN WIN (2-7)
Orioles @ Rays -8.5 WIN (0-8)
Marlins +1.5 @ Mets (1) WIN (2-1)
Athletics @ White Sox WIN WIN (1-4)
Astros @ Royals WIN WIN (2-7)
Padres @ Rockies -10.5 WIN (4-2)
Yankees -1.5 @ Mariners WIN (3-1)
Braves WIN @ Dodgers WIN (2-1)

NHL playoffs for June 9

Western Conference finals, game 5: LA Kings @ Chicago Blackhawks, Staples Center, United Center, Chicago, IL, Sunday, June 5, 11.10am (Blackhawks lead 3-1)

When the Chicago Blackhawks were in deep trouble in the second round of the playoffs, they used desperation to their advantage and pulled off a big comeback in an already impressive season. After the Blackhawks lost top defenseman Duncan Keith to a suspension before Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, Chicago didn't let the Los Angeles Kings get even, despite their dominant home record.

Now that the top-seeded Blackhawks are just one win away from reaching the Stanley Cup finals, they want to play with the same sense of urgency when they hit the ice at home for Game 5. Toews and company returned to Chicago on Friday after snapping Los Angeles' 15-game home winning streak with a 3-2 victory on Thursday night that gave them a 3-1 lead in the best-of-seven series against the defending Stanley Cup champions.

Chicago dropped three of the first four games in the second round against Detroit, then returned home and beat the Red Wings 4-1 in Game 5. The momentum shifted to the Blackhawks, who earned two more victories to advance. This is the 12th time the Kings have opened a playoff series with three losses in four games. The only time they advanced was in 1989 against Edmonton. Only 25 NHL teams have accomplished the feat.

Suggested bet: Blackhawks WIN (four units @ $1.55) WIN (3-4)

NBA Finals for June 10

Game 2: San Antonio Spurs @ Miami Heat, AmericanAirlines Arena, Miami, FL, Sunday, June 9, 10.10am

Down 1-0 after a record regular season that goes for naught without another title, the Heat can turn their moods around with a victory over San Antonio in Game 2. Back in the finals for a third straight year, the Heat have lost some of the ability to enjoy the ride. With exorbitant expectations, all that matters is the destination.

But San Antonio, absent from this stage for six years, is soaking up what could be its last shot for Tim Duncan, Tony Parker and Manu Ginobili. Despite the notion they’re old, the Spurs are actually overall the younger, less-experienced team in these finals. Miami has nine players in their 30s to the six on the Spurs, and their Big Three and Bonner are the only Spurs to have played in the NBA Finals.

James and the Heat at least got some with two days off following the Spurs’ 92-88 victory in Game 1. Both James and Wade had mentioned fatigue when talking about Miami's poor fourth-quarter performance, just three nights after the end of a difficult, seven-game series against Indiana to decide the Eastern Conference championship.

We’re going with Miami here – they are 9-2 ATS in their last 11 games following an ATS loss; 13-3 ATS in their last 16 games following a S.U. loss; 4-1 ATS in their last 5 NBA Championship games; and 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games playing on two days rest.

Suggested bet: Heat -6 (three units @ $1.91) WIN, game total -187.5 (one unit @ $1.91) WIN (84-103)

* Prices with thanks to Centrebet, correct at time of publication